Washing machine



May 13, 1941. J. R. ArKlNs E-rAl.

WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 29, 1940 2 Sheets--Sheeil l .Jo/1w E HTM/vs ff L/HM J HTM/v5 ATTORNEY. y

May 13,1941. 1R mms E1 v 2,241,940

WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN 1Q /QT/f//vs WML/HM J HTH/N5 INVENRS Patented May 13, 1941 2,241,940 v WASHING MACHINE John R. Atkins and William J. Atkins,

Dalla Application February 29, 1940,Serial No. 321,548

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in washing machines.

One object of the invention is to providean improved washing machine which is constructed so that air or steam under pressure may be directed or forced into a container of water in intimate contact with articles to be washed whereby said articles will be thoroughly cleansed, due to the vacillating effect produced on the water by the air or steam without manual effort.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a dishwashing machine including containers within which the dishes are confined, due to the means for discharging air or steam into the con.`

, tainer and to contact with the dishes., whereby the pressure of the air or steam is suilicient to! perform the washing operation, an auxiliary pressure means need not be employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described wherein hot water or other rinsing fluid is confined within one of thecontainers whereby said dishes may be immersed therein .to perform the rinsing olieration.

Another object of the invention is to provide an overow drain system whereby impurities in and on the fluid within the machine are constantly removed. i.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine which not only thoroughly cleanses dishes, silver and the like, but also sterilizes the same.

A still lfurther object of the invention is to provide manually operated means controlling the main outlet of the device as well as an auxiliary burner beneath one receptacle of said device whereby said burner is rendered inoperative at such time as the water is drained therefrom to avoid damage to the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thermostat control for an auxiliary burner placed beneath the rinsing vat of the machine whereby said rinsing water is maintained at a constant temperature.

A construction designed to carry out .the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

' The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

of the invention is shown, and

which an example wherein: y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dishwashing ymachine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view partly in-elevation and partly in section showing the rear working side of said machine and thedetails of the motor housing.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed vertical section showing the combination drain and burner control.

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken on the lines 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical of the agitator, and

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates the body of the washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention and which sectional view body is comprised of three vats or containers A,

B, and C. The body is mounted upon a suitable base I I. Fluid inlets I2 are provided and communicate with the respective vats. It'is to be noted that the incoming fluid is preheated whereby, for example, the uid entering the vat A attains a temperature of while the fluid in .the vat B reaches a temperature of due to the burner I3 disposed beneath this vat B.

'I'he vat C is employed for washing glasses in soapy water immersed in vat B and sterilized and dried without the aid of toweling.

By observing Figure 2, it may be seen that the vatsfA, B, and C are provided with drain pipes I4, I5, and I6, respectively, which pipes com-V municate with the main drain line I'l.

Particular attention is called to the fact that' a clean-out plug I8 isfprovided in the pipe Il whereby'the line may be cleaned by an inexperienced/person. An overflow pipe I9 is provided in the extreme upper end of the drain pipe I5 while a communicating overflow pipe 20 is provided in the wall separating the vats `A and B. A third overflow pipe 2I is provided in the drain pipe I4 similar to the pipe I9 in the line I5. The overflow 2| is on a lower horizontal plane than the communicating overflow 20, while this overflow is on a lower horizontal plane than the overilow I9. As the vat A is the washing vat, the water in this vat will tend to be dirtier than the water in the rinsing vat B. As grease floats upon water the grease or scum on top of the water in the vat B will be drained from said vat and will flow through the `communicating line 20 to the vat A while* undesirable impurities oating upon the water in the vat A will be'dralning Thus, as cleanwater is at all times env possible to remove ""33 will be operated to` close pipes this water will at all times remain free from any grease or food particles floating thereon.

Centrally disposed in the bottom o! the vat A 4 is an agitator 22 which agitator is provided with openings 23 in the top side thereof which openings 'communicate with the interior passage 24 of the agitator. The agitator is suitably cpnnected to an air line .25 which line passes through the outer wall of the body I and is connected to'a pipe 23' of a larger diameter than the pipe 23 to produce a nozzling effect; the pipe 26"is connected at its opposite end to the exhaust side of a pump 23 disposed within a. housing 21 mounted upon the` outer wall of the body I9 adjacent to the vat A. The pump or blower 23 is operated by a motor 29. The housing 21 is closed and insulated interiorly by felt 29 to reduce the noise produced by the blower /during-the operating periods thereof. An opening 39 is provided in the under side of the housing whereby the fan may draw air from without said housing into the interior thereof and pass-said air under pressure into the pipe25 to the agitator 22. 'I'his air under pressure enters the opening 2l in said agitator, As this air is exhausted from the 'agitator it serves to impart suflicient motion to the water within the vat A whereby said water may thoroughly washl the articles.

The burner 'I3 beneath suitably supported thereunder by means 3I while ar fuel inlet line 32` is -connected to said burner. A cut-ofi valve 33 is provided in the line 32 while a thermostat line 34 is connected in the line 32 intermediate the burner I3 and the valve 33. The pilot light 33 is provided immediately adjacent to burner I3 and is connected in the line 32 ad- :Iacent the inlet side pilot light will burn at all times. A vertical actuating rod 33 is connected to the valve 33 and operated by means of a handle 131. A horizontal v arm 39 is nxedly secured to the extreme upper end of the rod 33'and is pivotally connected to a slidable pin 39 which pin extends through the rear wall of the vat B and passes over the top of the overflow pipe I9. By observing Figure 3, itmay be seen that with the pin 39 in the position shown it would be imthe overiiow pipe I9 to allow the liquid in the vat to drain through the drain pipe I3. At such time as the lever 31 is operated as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, it may be v is then started to operate the blower 23 and force air to the agitator 22. The water is then set into motion which motion is such that the dishes are thoroughly washed only by the moving water. The motor is then cut ot! and the basket (not shown) containing the dishes is removed from the iiuid within the vat vat A and submerged in the The basket is then B forrinsing and sterilizing.

` removedi'rom the vat B and placed in any desirable place for the dishes to dry.. Attention is called to the fact that in using this machine the dishes are at no time touched by the operator and as the temperature of the rinsing iiuid in vat B is suiilcient to cause the dishes to dry quickly after being rinsed. Y

In washing silverware, it would not be necessary to dry the same, but as the water evaporates a small chemical deposit is left, in some cases, on the silver to form spotsthereon and therefore, while it is not necessary, it is desirable to, towel the silver.

the rinsing vat B is of the valve 33 whereby said scribed is capable modiiication as may be construed within the scope seen that the rod 33 would be rotated to withdraw cutting off the nre of said burner.

Thus, with this arrangement it would be impossible to drain the vat B and still allow a nre to burn beneath the empty vat to destroy the bottom thereof and render the device inoperative.V A thermostat 4 9 is secured to the line 3l and serves to control the temperature of the uid within the rinsing v'at B. the operation thereof is so well known that it is -believed that a detailed description oi.' the same is unnecessary. It is to be noted thata clean-out plug 23' is provided in the line 23 whereby this line may be cleaned out in the event that during vinoperative periods of the fan 23 vparticles of foreign matter may settle and enterthel agitator and erentufally st'op the pipe.23.f x

- In operation, the ventional wire basket (notshown) and then im- This thermostat and dishes are deposited a conthe same thereby steam is used for power The foregoing is a complete mechanical washing machine and sterilizer having many new features which are very simple in operation and utilizing only one moving part which part is a motor. In the event the motor fails to operate it is necessary only to turn oil. the gas to the burner I3 and to reduce `the temperature of the water by adding cold water and the dishes or other articles may then be washed by hand in the usual manner till such time as the required repairs are made. Further, water is rst used in the vat B and then carried into the vat A to the drain. Thus the water entering the vat B is used twice due to the overflow system hereinbefore described. Attention is called to the fact that in the event there would obviously be no vmoving parts which system would eliminate the use of a motor.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and dof some modication and such appended claims is also conand meaningof the the spirit and intent of the sidered to be within invention.

What is claimed is: l. In a washing machine,

an overflow, a water agitating means a washing vatvhavins in said vat,

said means comprising a substantially circular body having a circular air conduit formed therein, a pair of intercrossing passages communicating with said circular conduit at their ends, said latter conduit and passages having a. plurality o! apertures for the release of air under pressure, a common, restricted air inlet to said conduit and passages, a pipe connected to said inlet, insulated means for supplying air under pressure into said pipe intermediate its ends and a cleaning plug removably disposed at the i'ree end of said pipe.

2. In a washing machine, an overow, a water agitating said means comprising a substantially circular body having a circular air conduit formed therein, a pair of intercrossing passages communicating with'said circular conduit at their ends, said latter conduit and-passages having a plurality. of apertures-for the release of air under pressur means for supplying air under pressure into said water agitating means and a cleaning plug removably disposed at the iree end of said pipe.`

' JOHN-R. A'I'K'ms.

wmam J. ATKINS.

a washing vat havin! means in said vat, f 

